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* Here we go…
To: Members of the General Assembly
From: Richard Goldberg, Deputy Chief of Staff
Date: April 12, 2016
Re: HA 1 to SB 2046 – Another Partisan Spending Bill Filled With Empty PromisesLast week, Governor Rauner called for bipartisan cooperation to solve our budget crisis. “Now is the opportunity to put partisan differences aside and work together on solutions for the people of Illinois,” he wrote in the State Journal-Register.
But rather than work together to find bipartisan solutions to fund higher education and human services, the majority stands ready to pass another phony budget that promises to spend money the state simply doesn’t have. According to GOMB Director Tim Nuding, “at this point, appropriation bills that are not tied to revenue, spending reductions or savings-generating reforms are nothing more than IOUs that drive our state deeper into debt and exacerbate the bill backlog.”
House Amendment 1 (HA1) to SB 2046 would appropriate $3.89 billion, including more than $3 billion in General Funds, without any way to pay for it. That’s not compromise or fiscal responsibility – that’s just another partisan spending bill filled with empty promises for students, universities, community colleges, social service providers and our most vulnerable citizens.
Over the past few weeks, Republicans have proposed ways to fund MAP grants, universities, community colleges, social services, veterans homes, public health grants and much more – all tied to savings-generating government reforms. These alternatives would accomplish the overarching goal of HA 1 to SB 2046 without making empty promises, adding to our debt or exacerbating the bill backlog.
Now is the time to negotiate in good faith, not push each other farther apart. Now is the time for bipartisan solutions, not another partisan spending bill filled with empty promises.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:47 am
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Translation: Our members are freaking out, please stop giving them opportunities to vote for things they want.
Comment by Horse w/ no name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:51 am
===Republicans have proposed ways to fund MAP grants, universities, community colleges, social services, veterans homes, public health grants and much more – all tied to savings-generating government reforms.===
This is Goldberg reminding us all that Rauner isn’t ready to deal.
“Why?”
Look at the “reforms” previously listed, and while yesterday we all saw poison pills removed because Rauner needs K-12, this single Goldberg thought indicates Rauner still wants his hostages, and still wants his… reforms, even those unable to receive 60 and 30.
Remember, this is Rauner’s plan…
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15
Goldberg is just reiterating that tweet…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:53 am
‘Empty’ being the key word here.
Give them time, Goldberg. The balanced budget concepts in your letter are obviously difficult for some to grasp - particularly after the last two budgets were blatantly imbalanced to avoid blame for making difficult choices.
Comment by No Use For A Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:59 am
“…particularly after the last two Rauner submitted budgets… that were blatantly imbalanced to avoid blame for making difficult choices.”
Better, LOL!
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:05 am
You can mark the “phony” square on your bingo card. No “sham” or “extreme” or “structural reforms” though.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:06 am
In all seriousness, is it normal for the Governor’s DCOS to send communications to the GA and to chastise the opposition party?
Comment by union leader Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:08 am
- No Use For A Name -,
When Rauner submits a budget in balance, you get back to us.
If you are saying Rauner is inept and can’t fulfill the duty to submit a budget, in balance, how can I help you work ariunf someone who can’t fulfill the job as Governor?
Rauner’s alleged budget outlines also requires revenue to balance. That’s requires.
… but…
… you already know that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:08 am
Skeptic—
and “good faith”.
Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:10 am
WHERE is Bruce’s Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget?
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:11 am
Shouldn’t Goldberg just address his memos to the Springfield press corps, given that every member of the General Assembly ignores what he writes?
Comment by RTR Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:16 am
Article 8 of the state constitution is pretty clear: Governor proposes budget, legislature appropriates.
How can a Governor not do this?
Comment by Blue Bayou Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:17 am
Rauner cannot even send out his own correspondence for once. And, of course his lapdog isn’t far behind…
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:19 am
These letters…. what’s the point? Who’s the audience and what’s he selling? Does he get bonus points for penmanship or something?
They remind me of the press releases you see from the DC campaign committees. They throw the spaghetti bowl against the fridge every time and hope something sticks.
They seem to be nothing more than an exercise in self-gratification.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:21 am
Take it from Goldberg and the Rauner Admin, experts on empty promises.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:22 am
‘Better’
Notice anything different between the the situations? Anything at all?
Those budgets were passed with Democrats controlling the governor’s office, the house and the senate by comfortable majorities. That was not the result of a standoff with another branch of government, with neither willing to compromise or share responsibility. That was a free, unencumbered choice by Democrats. If Rauner did that with a Republican house and senate, he would be equally worthy of scorn.
Comment by No Use For A Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:25 am
“Now is the opportunity to put partisan differences aside and work together on solutions for the people of Illinois,”
Translation - Sit down, shut up and do what we want.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:27 am
translation “How dare the democrats refute our empty platitudes with empty promises!”
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:30 am
Goldberg is still my favorite, it’s not even close.
Of course, in any past administration, legislative staff or judicial courts staffing, he would have probably been removed, had he gone out on his own to write these letters because someone who respects government, a governor, a legislator, a judge, wouldn’t encourage Staff to write in these tones.
But, Goldberg gets to be evetything those who respect public service despises, and do it in an over the top unprofessionalism that is restaurant-quality.
For every reason he does the most unprofessional courtesy of his position, he’s my hands-down favorite.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:31 am
Man,they just don’t learn, do they
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:32 am
‘Better’
Is it bothersome that only one of them appears to be learning? The Dems pass imbalanced budgets, budgets that aren’t even balanced on paper. Rauner introduced imbalanced budgets, despite at least ‘balancing’ them on paper.
And yet, today, only one of them is introducing legislation that is fully paid for while the other demonstrates no interest in changing their tired old ways. Rauner introducing an imbalanced budget and the Democrats passing an imbalanced budget are different beasts, but even so only one appears to be improving their conduct.
Comment by No Use For A Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:34 am
=== savings-generating reforms ===
Raunerish for a smoke and mirrors trick where you pass a spending bill now and hope the estimated savings in the future covers the debt generated by the deficit spending.
I wonder whether the ratings agencies will appreciate this Rauner budget.
P.S. I’ll let others beat up on Goldberg the Grass Bowl.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:39 am
RTR + 1
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:41 am
“without any way to pay for it”
Somebody help me out here — what does that even mean? I looked at HAM 1 of the bill. According to a word search, “Payable from…” appears 51 times. Most of those are “Payable from the general revenue fund,” but nearly two dozen special funds also are tapped for appropriations.
So I guess “without any way to pay for it” must just be code for “without any poison pills”?
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:44 am
Does the Governor want to fund programs and services for students, universities, community colleges, social service providers and our most vulnerable citizens — or doesn’t he? If he does, then he and the rest of the GPO members of the General Assembly need to participate in discussions on how to fund those programs and services - without anti-union poison pills, imaginary pension savings, and questionable sweeps.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:45 am
- No Use For A Name -
So… Rauner can’t produce a balanced budget, or… LOL…
===Is it bothersome that only one of them appears to be learning?===
I wish Rauner would learn to count to 60 and 30. Rauner hasn’t, and I’m sure you mean that.
===Rauner introduced imbalanced budgets, despite at least ‘balancing’ them on paper.===
Can’t be a lil pregnant, they we’re imbalanced, but… you already knew that. Being an apologist means being willfully ignorant, like you are being now.
===And yet, today, only one of them is introducing legislation that is fully paid for while the other demonstrates no interest in changing their tired old ways.===
Look, just say “Madigan has been runnin’ this state in the ground for 73 years, and we need to shake it up.” At least make me laugh, at least if you’re going to be a Raunerbot, own it.
===Rauner introducing an imbalanced budget and the Democrats passing an imbalanced budget are different beasts,…===
Nah.
Rauner, according to Article VIII, Section 2, (a) is required to submit a balance budget. Rauner can’t, didn’t, won’t.
Rauner gets no points for being a lil pregnant, lol.
===…but even so only one appears to be improving their conduct.===
You mean the Goldberg letter?
Or are you thinkin’ “Shakin’ up and Bringin’ Back” by continually holding things hostages, the new way, is better?
Raunerbots need better talking points…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:49 am
Does the Governor want to fund programs and services for students, universities, community colleges, social service providers and our most vulnerable citizens…
No, of course not. He wants to destroy unions. That’s his entire Turn Around Agenda.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 10:51 am
I saw goldbergs name in the post and realized how much i have enjoyed not hearing from him. That said, this is low on vitriol, by goldberg standards. Doesnt mean it helps.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:05 am
Did anyone bother to even read the memo? Can someone point me to where his tone is anything but compromising? Folks here have blinders on if they call this memo unprofessional. Or just have a different definition of the word.
Comment by Missing something Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:27 am
===Can someone point me to where his tone is anything but compromising?===
From the Memo…
===… not another partisan spending bill filled with empty promises.===
Questions, or…
I’m guessing “blissfully unaware”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:32 am
=== Can someone point me to where his tone is anything but compromising? ===
How about lambasting the opposition for a “phoney budget” that is “nothing more than IOUs” and “empty promises”? Does that tone really sound compromising??
Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:39 am
You point to his characterizations of undeniably partisan gamesmanship by the Speaker and willfully ignore his pleas for bipartisanship and cooperation. Conclusion: blinders.
Comment by Missing something Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:43 am
If your pleas for bipartisanship are included in the same memo as your truculent trash-talk, doesn’t that pretty much negate the pleas? Just askin…
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:58 am
If I say I really like your fat ugly mom because she is so nice, this is a compliment, no? Or maybe I am I missing something like the scarecrow. (Not nice language used for demonstration purposes only)
Comment by Blooms of Spring Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 11:59 am
===You point to his characterizations of undeniably partisan gamesmanship by the Speaker and willfully ignore his pleas for bipartisanship and cooperation. Conclusion: blinders.===
Goldberg wrote this letter. The Soeaker did not.
Conclusion: Willfully Ignorant.
By the way, who “pleas” while insulting?
You guessed it, no one, LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:02 pm
You all need to take a breath and ask a regular person to read the memo. It sounds very reasonable and measured in the face of floor action designed to jerk the Governor and Republican legislators around. At the end of the day, you have a supermajority and do nothing with it. If you can’t move legislation without the governor, then negotiate with him.
Comment by Missing something Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:12 pm
===You all need to take a breath and ask a regular person to read the memo.===
I can read fine, thanks. I guess courtesy and respect are things you lack, or…
===It sounds very reasonable and measured in the face of floor action designed to jerk the Governor and Republican legislators around.===
So, is the governor “tough” abc won’t take it, or is it a plea?
I don’t think you understand tone, tenor, or maybe how wirds work…
===But rather than work together to find bipartisan solutions to fund higher education and human services, the majority stands ready to pass another phony budget that promises to spend money the state simply doesn’t have.===
Yeah, that just screams, “work with us”…
… especially when Rauner refuses to submit a balanced budget.
No one is on your lawn, so screaming at us and “pointing” to people who allegedly read… better… is a pretty pathetic argument to make.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Speaking of empty, phony, and blissfully unaware, have the R’s added any language to their pension reform shell bill yet?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 12:33 pm
Missing Something,
You asked fair, reasonable questions. Unfortunately, some keyboard warriors prefer going out of their way to quibble and mock than address issues in an equally reasonable manner. I urge you not to feed such angry, sensitive and one-sided individuals in the future, and I will attempt the same.
Comment by No Use For A Name Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Yeah, - Missing something -,
You “Hang In There!”, lol.
I know, being a victim to your refuted arguments is tough…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Missing Something:
It’s clear you aren’t aware of the history of Goldberg memos and testimony.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 3:37 pm
I guess Goldberg’s formula of first insult followed by jiggery-pokery, didn’t work.
SB2046 passed.
Repeating, the GOP is going to have a heck of a time with their base when they have to explain the truth.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 5:18 pm
Done pouting after the election Goldberg? Togetherness always starts with an insult you are in a compromising position must be camped in there
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Apr 12, 16 @ 9:20 pm